SANTA CLARA—Team USA displayed grit and resilience in a 2-0 shutout victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday, July 1. The victory allows USA advance to the next round, where they will face Belgium.
The first goal was scored by Folarin Balogun right before halftime. This goal was very necessary because there seemed to appear to be a missed call that would have resulted in a penalty kick, and another goal was disallowed because of an offside called by the referee.
In the 64th minute, Balogun was issued a red card on a very hard tackle to Tarik Muharemovic. Meaning an immediate ejection for Balogun. In addition, he will not be allowed to play in the Round of 16 on Monday’s matchup against Belgium.
Holding on to a one goal lead with over 35 minutes left to play in the game, it would appear that they would not advance to the next round.
The crowd, who has been raucous and extremely loud up until that point grew eerily silent. It was not until Malik Tillman scored on a free kick in the eighty second minute did the crowd erupt in joy in a obvious USA victory.
It’s a tall order against Belgium, but the USA have proven nothing is impossible in this World Cup. As the game ended, the crowd sang very loudly John Denver’s, “Country Roads” as one. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful game.
